The California legislature has passed numerous laws in the 2023-24 legislative session that will affect California students and school personnel. Here are just some of the changes that will impact California students that parents and families may want to know about.
No suspension for being defiant
SB 274 deals with suspensions and expulsions related to willful defiance. Students in the sixth through eighth grades can’t be suspended from school for disrupting school activities or “willfully defying” teachers, administrators and other school officials. This will last until July 1, 2029 — extending an expiration date approaching on July 1, 2025.
As of last month, students in the ninth through 12 th grades can’t be suspended for that until July 1, 2029, though teachers do retain their ability to suspend a student from class for willful defiance.
Students who are Black, LGBTQ+, homeless, have disabilities, or are in foster care are more likely to be suspended for willfully defiant behavior, “even when harmless,” according to SB 274. Suspension can lead to more harm for both students and their families. For example, a student now misses a school meal due to their suspension, according to the bill.